PLANT SC 4050AWT - Advanced Plant Science (Hons) Pt 1

Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This modular course covers a range of advanced topics in Plant Science, the methods of presentation and assessment of which vary according to module.

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Course Details

Course Code	PLANT SC 4050AWT
Course	Advanced Plant Science (Hons) Pt 1
Coordinating Unit	School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Waite Campus
Contact	Mixed mode - flexible and/or intensive
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Incompatible	PLANT SC 4012AWT/BWT, PLANT SC 4020AWT/BWT
Restrictions	Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
Assessment	Exams and/or assignments, Research Proposal, Literature Review

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Richard Muhlack

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students
should be able to:

1	Analyse and critically evaluate scientific literature in research related to chosen topics in Plant Science.
2	Synthesise knowledge and ideas into a written argument.
3	Communicate scientific information clearly and concisely in written English.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-2
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-2
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1-3
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-3
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1-3
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1-3

Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

The Honours Advanced Course enables students to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of their chosen areas of scientific research. The first research area will be directly relevant to their Honours research project and will require the analysis of the literature and the development of a research proposal. Knowledge of the other research area will be enhanced through either coursework or specialised written essay. While these activities are largely independent, students will be given guidance/mentorship by their supervisor(s) and be provided with workshops to aid in their learning.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 6 unit, full year course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. For the Literature review and research proposal and for students undertaking the Essay assessment item, this time will encompass reading and synthesis of the relevant scientific literature and development of the research proposal. For students choosing to undertake a 3-unit course in place of the Essay, this will include formal contact time required to that course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision) as required.

Learning Activities Summary
Workshops are provided during this course to support students towards course assessment and learning outcomes. Example workshop topics include:
- Communication skills & academic writing
- Statistics and data analysis

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Hurdle	Learning Outcome
Literature Review and Research Proposal	Formative and Summative	August	50%	No	1-3
Essay or Coursework	Summative	November	50%	No	1-3

Assessment Detail

Essay or Coursework

Students will either:

prepare a 4500 word essay on a topic of their choice (that is not directly related to their research project). The essay should provide evidence of critical thought and argument. Communication skills and the ability to analyse and critically evaluate knowledge and ideas will be assessed.

Or

Undertake a Level III course (3 units), to be agreed upon by the student, supervisor and Honours Coordinator – the
course MUST be relevant to the field of research.

Literature Analysis and Research Proposal

Students will prepare: (i) a 4000 word literature analysis comprising a critical review of published work related to their project area, to ‘set the scene’ for the development of the aims or hypotheses to be addressed by their project; and (ii) a 1500 word research
proposal outlining the project to be conducted. Communication skills and the ability to analyse and critically evaluate scientific literature will be assessed.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of
the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator